PEG-12 has a Natural Origin Index (NOI) of 0.00 (scale 0–1) per ISO 16128. Plain polyethylene glycol chain made entirely from petrochemical ethylene oxide; no natural-origin fragment present. An NOI of 0.00 means 0% of its molecular mass is traceable to a natural, renewable source.

Is PEG-12 natural? NOI 0.00 — Is That Natural?

How we scored it

Homopolymer H-(OCH2CH2)12-OH built solely from ethylene oxide → 0.0

What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Manufactured by polymerising petrochemical ethylene oxide onto a water initiator to the target chain length. No natural-origin route exists for unmodified PEG.

In plain English

A synthetic humectant and solvent built from petroleum-derived ethylene oxide chains. It helps dissolve ingredients and hold moisture in formulas.

CosIng definition: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hydro-.omega.-hydroxy-, (12 mol EO average molar ratio)

Natural alternatives with the same function

3-Glyceryl Ascorbate 100% natural origin

A stabilised, water-soluble form of vitamin C used as an antioxidant and humectant in skincare. It is made…

Acer Saccharum Sap 100% natural origin

Sap tapped straight from sugar maple trees, used as a humectant to help skin hold onto moisture. It's…

Achillea Millefolium Flower Extract 100% natural origin

An extract made from yarrow flowers, a plant long used in traditional herbal preparations. Used to help condition…

Acorus Gramineus Extract 100% natural origin

An extract from the whole grass-leaved sweet flag plant, used to help skin retain moisture. It is a…

Acronychia Acidula Fruit Extract 100% natural origin

An extract of lemon aspen, an Australian native fruit, used to condition skin and hair and help hold…

Adansonia Grandidieri Seed Oil 100% natural origin

A nourishing oil pressed from the seeds of the Madagascar baobab tree. It's used to condition skin and…

References

1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
2PEG-12. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
3PEG-12. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=PEG-12